Some members of Church Cafe, a Bible study group founded by the late Norma Liongoren at her New York street, Cubao, gallery, are shown supporting Mario Miclat (leftmost), Gawad Balagtas awardee for excellence in essay and fiction writing in 2013, the year the Baguio Writers Group also received the Gawad Pedro Bucaneg trophy from the Unyon ng mga Manunulat ng Piliipinas. This accounts for the blogger's presence in the group shot apart from her occasionally partaking of the study of the Word. Poet Rogelio "Roger" Mangahas, who passed away at 6:14 today, is standing third from right, with wife Fe beside him. Pastor Stephen and Fe Sunil are at center, Alma Miclat beside Mario holding their only grandchild Raj.
In all photos I've seen of Roger today posted in social media he always looked trim but strong. Who'd have known the body would turn traitor and we'd lose this nationalist poet, teacher, activist so soon? As the good book says, "Who knows the mind of the Lord?"
Roger was 79. Rest in peace, gentle friend! Photo courtesy of Alma Miclat
